Josephine’s voice is a truly rare gem. The Manchester native (borne
of Liberian and Jamaican parents) doesn’t sing in the pop, show-off,
million-octave diva soul voice standard we all live by. Rather, she is a
contralto, which means that — while she has an impressive range — she
sings in the deepest female vocal range on the classical scale. The
sound that winds up emanating from this petite rising star is an
all-powerful feminine force; comforting and wizened, yet utterly
heartwrenching and vulnerable at the same time. Even during her happy
songs, you’ll want to cry. Even if you’re a dictator.

Though I could write novels about, and build monuments to, this
woman’s voice, there’s also lots of interesting stuff going on in the
music that’s worth noting. Her new album Portrait is a
light-footed stroll through Motown, 60s folk, soul, Afrobeat, and
indie-pop. Sometimes, it even sounds as if there’s a great big spotlight
on Josephine as she croons a climactic ballad from a Broadway stage.